U.S. and China renew S&T Agreement for further 5 years

Why in the News? Recently, China and the United States agreed to renew the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement for an additional five years. What new measures were added to the Agreement in 2024? Limited to basic research: The amended agreement explicitly limits cooperation to basic research and excludes any collaboration in critical and emerging… Continue reading

Govt to issue over 5.8 million SVAMITVA Property Cards

Why in the News? Over 58 lakh property cards will be issued to owners in approximately 50,000 villages across 12 States/UTs through a virtual event addressed by PM Modi under the SVAMITVA Scheme. About SVAMITVA Scheme: Details About Full Form: Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. Launched on 24th April… Continue reading

Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) launched

Why in the News? PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project, the first project under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking rivers, conceptualized in 1980. The project would submerge over 10 per cent of the core area of the Panna Tiger Reserve. About the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP):… Continue reading

[25th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Myth of meritocracy, caste-based disparities in IT sector

PYQ Relevance: Q) The caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (UPSC CSE 2018) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on the ‘Right to Equality’ (2021) and ‘Multi-cultural Indian Society’ (2020). Oxfam India Report (2022) indicates that 97% of surveyed Dalits reported experiencing… Continue reading

The number of domestic migrants is estimated to have lowered by 12% since 2011: EAC-PM

Why in the News? A report by the PM’s Economic Advisory Panel (EAC-PM) indicates that the number of domestic migrants has decreased by approximately 12%, reaching 40.20 crore since 2011 census. Internal/Domestic migration refers to the movement of people within a country from one region to another. Reasons for Push factors: Lack of job opportunities,… Continue reading

India’s ‘steel frame’ does need a check

Why in the News? The recent government initiatives, such as “Mission Karmayogi,” aimed at enhancing the capacity of civil servants, underscores the ongoing dialogue about reforming India’s “steel frame” of governance. What is the current state of India’s bureaucratic structure? India’s bureaucratic structure, particularly the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), often referred to as the “steel… Continue reading

In today’s India, can the Constitution protect individual dignity?

Why in the News? The SC has emphasized the importance of individual dignity within the context of Article 21 in several landmark cases. Discussions around individual dignity have again gained traction, especially when former SC Justice Kurian Joseph emphasized that the Constitution prioritizes individual dignity, making it a vital topic for contemporary legal discourse. How… Continue reading

Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2024

Why in the News? The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed the Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2024, aiming to modernize and reform the State’s prison system. It is based on the Model Prisons Bill, 2023, issued by the Government of India (GoI). Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2024: Key Highlights : Repeal of Outdated… Continue reading

Species: Lion-Tailed Macaque

Why in the News? A new study highlights that increased food provisioning and habituation to human presence endanger the lion-tailed macaque, a endangered species found only in the Western Ghats of India. Roads crossing the macaque habitats in eight key locations—Anamalai Hills, Nelliyampathy, Nilambur Ghats, Sholayar, Gavi, Sabarimala, Vallimalai Hills, and Agumbe—have facilitated frequent human-animal… Continue reading

Mitochondrial Genome (mtDNA)

Why in the News? Recent research indicates that age-related losses in our cell’s mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)—specifically, deletion mutations—could be a major driver of aging. These mutations, once they accumulate, reduce the mitochondrion’s ability to produce energy (ATP), causing cell and tissue dysfunction. What are Mitochondria? Mitochondria generate most of the cell’s energy (hence called the… Continue reading

[24th December 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The GATT-ification of the World Trade Organization

PYQ Relevance: Q) What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (UPSC CSE 2018) Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on topics like ‘WTO’ (2018) and ‘International Trading routes’ (2022). An Allianz Trade survey… Continue reading

UN Internal Justice Council (IJC)

Why in the News? Justice Madan B Lokur, retired judge of the Supreme Court of India, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC). Justice Lokur’s Legacy: Justice Lokur served on the Supreme Court of India from June 2012 to December 2018, delivering landmark judgments across diverse areas of… Continue reading

Mumps Vaccine

Why in the News? Tamil Nadu Government has requested the Centre to consider including the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) due to surge in the Mumps cases across the State. Tamil Nadu’s UIP currently offers 11 vaccines protecting against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, including: Tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis B,… Continue reading

India’s First Bio-Bitumen National Highway Inaugurated

Why in the News? India’s first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch was inaugurated on NH-44 in Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. About Bio-Bitumen Bio-bitumen is a bio-based binder derived from renewable, sustainable sources such as: Vegetable oils, Crop stubble, Algae, Lignin (a component of wood), Animal manure. It serves as an alternative to… Continue reading

Google’s GenCast AI

Why in the News? Google DeepMind has unveiled its revolutionary GenCast AI model, designed to predict the weather more accurately and farther in advance than current forecasting tools. About GenCast: What is it? GenCast is an AI-based weather forecasting model developed by Google DeepMind. It uses machine learning techniques for more accurate and long-term predictions… Continue reading

Union Minister Releases India State of Forest Report, 2023

Why in the News? The India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) was released by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. What is the Forest Survey of India (FSI)? Forest Survey of India (FSI) is an organisation under the Ministry of Environment & Forests,… Continue reading

India, Kuwait lift ties to ‘strategic partnership’

Why in the News? During the first bilateral meeting, the leaders of India and Kuwait elevated their relationship to a “strategic partnership,” with trade and defense cooperation identified as the key pillars of their ties. What are the main areas of cooperation outlined in the new partnership? Defence: Enhanced collaboration in training, joint exercises, defence… Continue reading

In news: Panama Canal

Why in the News? US President-elect Donald Trump criticized Panama for charging excessively for US ships’ use of the Panama Canal and threatened a US takeover of the canal. About Panama Canal: Geographical Location: Located in Central America, connecting the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean. 80 km long, spanning across… Continue reading

What are the new Interception Rules and Safeguards?

Why in the News? The Centre has introduced the Telecommunications (Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules, 2024, replacing Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, allowing certain agencies to intercept phone messages under specific conditions. About the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951 The Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951 are a set of regulations that govern the establishment,… Continue reading

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